Are we making the right decision?
Feb 16th 2016, 2:24 pm
#61
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Re: Are we making the right decision?
This thread had potential, a fair question was asked, but once again sarcasm and the passive aggressive argumentative nature of certain responders has set it on a path to descend into meaningless dribble where the original poster will attempt to defend himself and others will pretend they're innocent yet further goad through passive aggressive means. I don't know why people can't live and let live and just move along if they do not like the content of a thread or the lack of detail put forward.
Feb 16th 2016, 2:25 pm
#62
.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20,185
Re: Are we making the right decision?
Nothing of the sort. Ask a decent question and he'll get a decent answer. There are a lot of people on here who have a wealth of information and experience and are willing to help if you have specific concerns.
Feb 16th 2016, 2:28 pm
#63
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Location: Orton, Ontario
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Re: Are we making the right decision?
Firstly good luck with whatever you choose.
As a Canadian and former GTA (Greater Toronto Area) resident who has now moved to the UK my 2 cents worth would be that moving to Toronto is highly unlikely to make you any happier (if it is happiness that you are seeking!) - however it will offer a change, and that, for some people, is often enough.
From a personal perspective I found that Toronto, compared to Edinburgh (where I now live and work) has a worse work-life balance. These are the reasons why:
- People in Toronto think nothing of 10 - 12 hour days and have very poor vacation entitlement (often no more than 2 weeks per year) In Edinburgh I get 6 weeks, not including public holidays which are another 8 or 9 days on top of that. The only way to relax under such high stress environment is to take recreational drugs, which is why there is such a prevalence of 'relaxation' drugs over there at the moment. The 'rat race' in Toronto is, in my opinion, more soul destroying than in many other cities, and even other parts of Canada.
- the commuting. In the GTA most people commute for over an hour, each way, every day. My brother commutes for two hours each way every day - and this is not considered unusual. The urban sprawl in Toronto is terrible - this results in people having to get 'drive through' for everything from breakfast (often a donut from Tim Hortons) to banking (drive thru cash machines!) Compared to Edinburgh, where I can afford to buy a house in 'downtown' (which would have been unthinkable in Toronto) I can walk or cycle to work in 15 minutes. As a result I have lost about 20lbs since moving here - it has actually been good for my health!
- Other reasons, without going in to too much detail, would be:
-lack of affordable housing compared to incomes in the GTA
- the long cold winters - I guess you visited in the summer?
- the surprisingly high crime rates compared to Europe (they are low compared to America, but high compared to Europe)
- less longer term life chances for any children I may have (college / university fees in Canada can be crippling compared to most places and countries in Europe, like Edinburgh, where there are no college / university fees for residents)
However having said all that if you feel you are stuck in a rut then sometime a change is the only thing that can fix that. The change itself can help you look at things through new eyes and that can be very refreshing, no matter where you end up. The key question to ask yourself why you want to move. If it is just for a change then I would consider somewhere closer (and less expensive from a moving perspective) to home - either within the UK or Europe. As a UK citizen you have fantastic rights to live and work anywhere in Europe (I'm so envious of the rights UK citizens have - your passport gives you great opportunities!) so make sure you haven't exhausted those options before you decide!
As a Canadian and former GTA (Greater Toronto Area) resident who has now moved to the UK my 2 cents worth would be that moving to Toronto is highly unlikely to make you any happier (if it is happiness that you are seeking!) - however it will offer a change, and that, for some people, is often enough.
From a personal perspective I found that Toronto, compared to Edinburgh (where I now live and work) has a worse work-life balance. These are the reasons why:
- People in Toronto think nothing of 10 - 12 hour days and have very poor vacation entitlement (often no more than 2 weeks per year) In Edinburgh I get 6 weeks, not including public holidays which are another 8 or 9 days on top of that. The only way to relax under such high stress environment is to take recreational drugs, which is why there is such a prevalence of 'relaxation' drugs over there at the moment. The 'rat race' in Toronto is, in my opinion, more soul destroying than in many other cities, and even other parts of Canada.
- the commuting. In the GTA most people commute for over an hour, each way, every day. My brother commutes for two hours each way every day - and this is not considered unusual. The urban sprawl in Toronto is terrible - this results in people having to get 'drive through' for everything from breakfast (often a donut from Tim Hortons) to banking (drive thru cash machines!) Compared to Edinburgh, where I can afford to buy a house in 'downtown' (which would have been unthinkable in Toronto) I can walk or cycle to work in 15 minutes. As a result I have lost about 20lbs since moving here - it has actually been good for my health!
- Other reasons, without going in to too much detail, would be:
-lack of affordable housing compared to incomes in the GTA
- the long cold winters - I guess you visited in the summer?
- the surprisingly high crime rates compared to Europe (they are low compared to America, but high compared to Europe)
- less longer term life chances for any children I may have (college / university fees in Canada can be crippling compared to most places and countries in Europe, like Edinburgh, where there are no college / university fees for residents)
However having said all that if you feel you are stuck in a rut then sometime a change is the only thing that can fix that. The change itself can help you look at things through new eyes and that can be very refreshing, no matter where you end up. The key question to ask yourself why you want to move. If it is just for a change then I would consider somewhere closer (and less expensive from a moving perspective) to home - either within the UK or Europe. As a UK citizen you have fantastic rights to live and work anywhere in Europe (I'm so envious of the rights UK citizens have - your passport gives you great opportunities!) so make sure you haven't exhausted those options before you decide!
I do have to question your data on tuition fees. Scotland has different arrangements to England, but a quick Google shows that the max tuition fee in England is capped at £9000 and 76% of universities charge that amount. Ontario has the highest fees in Canada with projected average fees of $9000 in 2017. With the current exchange rate, even taking into account that the Canadian degree takes an extra year I don't think it's a massive difference in financial commitment for tuition fees. I can't find anything about a cap on the Ontario rates, but I have one son on a course that is less than $8000 in fees, the second one goes next year and his fees are likely to be $13000, both still stack up well against the £9000 that English universities charge.
Feb 16th 2016, 2:29 pm
#64
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Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 36
Re: Are we making the right decision?
People have different experiences and thats what I was looking for.
My decision to move or not wouldn't fall soley on the output of this thread.
In terms of IEC I will have a read later tonight however if I can gain PR on my current status wouldn't that be easier? Again with fear of asking a question again before I am descended upon by those above I'll do my own research.
Feb 16th 2016, 2:30 pm
#65
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Joined: Oct 2007
Location: In a darkened room somewhere.............
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Re: Are we making the right decision?
This thread had potential, a fair question was asked, but once again sarcasm and the passive aggressive argumentative nature of certain responders has set it on a path to descend into meaningless dribble where the original poster will attempt to defend himself and others will pretend they're innocent yet further goad through passive aggressive means. I don't know why people can't live and let live and just move along if they do not like the content of a thread or the lack of detail put forward.
Back on track please peeps, ta muchly.
Feb 16th 2016, 2:38 pm
#66
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Joined: Mar 2012
Location: Calgary
Posts: 962
Re: Are we making the right decision?
As a forum is for open discussion, to seek advice on matters which people have knowledge about.
People have different experiences and thats what I was looking for.
My decision to move or not wouldn't fall soley on the output of this thread.
In terms of IEC I will have a read later tonight however if I can gain PR on my current status wouldn't that be easier? Again with fear of asking a question again before I am descended upon by those above I'll do my own research.
People have different experiences and thats what I was looking for.
My decision to move or not wouldn't fall soley on the output of this thread.
In terms of IEC I will have a read later tonight however if I can gain PR on my current status wouldn't that be easier? Again with fear of asking a question again before I am descended upon by those above I'll do my own research.
Either way if you're unsure IEC is potentially the fastest and best way to try it. However... its only good if you get selected! I believe you and your partner must apply separately two. So you must both be selected as individuals... unless one is willing to leave the other behind.
Feb 16th 2016, 2:38 pm
#67
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Re: Are we making the right decision?
If so, then unless you can apply for PR without a job offer, then IEC will be your quickest and easiest route over by a mile. You'll need to hurry up and apply if you want to get a visa and go before mid 2017 though, as the visa allocation is already well underway and there's a limit of 5000 per year for UKC's.
HTH, good luck.
Feb 16th 2016, 2:38 pm
#68
.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20,185
Re: Are we making the right decision?
I refer to my original response.
Last edited by Oink; Feb 16th 2016 at 2:42 pm.
Feb 16th 2016, 2:41 pm
#70
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Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 36
Re: Are we making the right decision?
What you mean by your 'current status'? Maybe I've missed it, but I thought you were in the UK?
If so, then unless you can apply for PR without a job offer, then IEC will be your quickest and easiest route over by a mile. You'll need to hurry up and apply if you want to get a visa and go before mid 2017 though, as the visa allocation is already well underway and there's a limit of 5000 per year for UKC's.
HTH, good luck.
If so, then unless you can apply for PR without a job offer, then IEC will be your quickest and easiest route over by a mile. You'll need to hurry up and apply if you want to get a visa and go before mid 2017 though, as the visa allocation is already well underway and there's a limit of 5000 per year for UKC's.
HTH, good luck.
In terms of status we as a couple have enough points for PR based on the current draws (Providing I don't duff the language tests)
Feb 16th 2016, 2:44 pm
#71
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
Re: Are we making the right decision?
Are you and or your partner eligible for EE? What score do you get based on your form filling? This is important because as a junior buyer and a Boot's manager neither of you has any prospect of gaining an LMIA.
So EE/PR or IEC are your options. Nebulous, unanswerable questions about whether you're making the right decision are somewhat premature until you actually have a decision to make, and even then they will remain unanswerable.
Good luck.
Feb 16th 2016, 2:45 pm
#72
me/moi
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 24,531
Re: Are we making the right decision?
This thread had potential, a fair question was asked, but once again sarcasm and the passive aggressive argumentative nature of certain responders has set it on a path to descend into meaningless dribble where the original poster will attempt to defend himself and others will pretend they're innocent yet further goad through passive aggressive means. I don't know why people can't live and let live and just move along if they do not like the content of a thread or the lack of detail put forward.
Feb 16th 2016, 2:45 pm
#73
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Joined: Mar 2012
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Posts: 962
Re: Are we making the right decision?
Feb 16th 2016, 2:49 pm
#74
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Re: Are we making the right decision?
That's good, what's your score? You're highly unlikely to get a rubbish IELTS result, as long as you do a few practice papers first. Depends I guess on if you want to just try Canada out, or are sure about the move and don't mind spending a lot more money on the security of PR.
Feb 16th 2016, 2:50 pm
#75
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Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Orton, Ontario
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Re: Are we making the right decision?
Sarcasm on a British forum. Who'dve thought it? 
There is some good advice and comment in amongst the banter. On the general theme of moving to Canada mine would be consider all aspects and don't be surprised if many of the same things that frustrate you in UK end up frustrating you here. In particular, we pay as high taxes here (generally) as in the UK and your commute of an hour and 15 minutes is relatively short in GTA terms. (Greater Toronto Area). If you want a short commute you'll need to live close to work and that will likely preclude, easy access to the wide open spaces of Canada.
On Procurement specifically I might be able to help. I've worked in the sector, both in Canada and UK for 20something years. I'll drop you a PM.
There is some good advice and comment in amongst the banter. On the general theme of moving to Canada mine would be consider all aspects and don't be surprised if many of the same things that frustrate you in UK end up frustrating you here. In particular, we pay as high taxes here (generally) as in the UK and your commute of an hour and 15 minutes is relatively short in GTA terms. (Greater Toronto Area). If you want a short commute you'll need to live close to work and that will likely preclude, easy access to the wide open spaces of Canada.
On Procurement specifically I might be able to help. I've worked in the sector, both in Canada and UK for 20something years. I'll drop you a PM.
I live just outside of Toronto, it's about 30 mins train ride from here to downtown, when I worked downtown it took me about an hour door to door, including drive to station and the walk at the other end. It has been a good move for us, but it doesn't work out for everybody. By the way I had visited on vacation once before we moved, my husband had never been, we did no research, but we did have jobs and paid expenses for our move which made a huge difference.